Visual Treats

Students attending SFCC usually comment on the beauty of the campus and attractiveness
of the setting. The modern buildings are set off by hundreds of trees and wide open
spaces. Perched on a bluff, the campus overlooks the Spokane River with views of
nearby forest parkland and rocky cliffs. Within our buildings, the Computing, Mathematics,
and Science Building features a 60-foot Foucault pendulum. The
Art Gallery and
Photography Gallery
each display exhibits from noted artists alongside faculty and student works.

Students can take in professional-quality plays at the
Spartan Theatre, or unwind at a Jazz
concert in the Performing Arts Center.
Health and wellness are supported by a modern
Fitness Center,
weight room and gymnasium. Outside are athletic fields, tennis courts, and an
Olympic-quality track.

Laboratories and Equipment

SFCC is fortunate to be able to offer students a wide variety of liberal arts courses
and technical programs from which to choose. These courses and programs have fully
equipped laboratories and, insofar as possible, state-of-the-art equipment. Other
learning resources include the library
with 30 computer workstations; 10 computer labs,
including a comprehensive Math Learning Center,
a 200-station Computing Resource Center, and the
International Language Center. In 1995,
our Technical Arts Building opened with a Competency-based Education Resource Center,
Graphic Design Learning labs, and an electronic classroom. Most of this equipment is
funded annually by a Technology Fee Assessment.

Spokane Falls Community College is located in Spokane,
Washington. It is situated above the Spokane River on a 113-acre site, with lush trees and
expansive lawns. This secluded and unique setting is enhanced with views of distant
scenery of neighboring Riverside State Park and the Centennial Trail.

All the words in the name, Spokane Falls Community
College, have important meanings and are connected to the past and present. Spokane is the
name given to one of many tribes of native people who have lived in this area for a very
long time. Variously it means: People, People of the Sun, or The Place Where The People Of
The Sun Live. Falls refers to the water falls on the Spokane River itself. They are
located six miles upstream and in the center of the city. The more dramatic and dominant
geology of this area was determined by huge powerful molten lava flows through gigantic
fissures in the Columbian Plateau. This occurred between 6 and 17 million years ago. One
of these flows resulted in the formation of the lower falls on the Spokane River. At these
falls native people camped and caught salmon for hundreds of years. Spokane Falls also
refers to the town of Spokane Falls, incorporated in 1881 along the banks of the river,
which became the present day city of Spokane.

The community college opened in 1967
and shortly thereafter was proudly given the name, Spokane Falls. The word Community, not
only refers to the people in this region of the state which we serve, but also to the
community of learners attending the college, along with its faculty and staff. The word
College conveys a meaning closely related to this idea. It comes from the Latin collegium,
meaning a society. In times past this was a society of scholars gathered together for the
purpose of doing scholarship and teaching. Today we like to think of the college in terms
of a learning community; a place where students, faculty, and staff come together to
participate in the experience of learning.

Serving Diverse Needs and Populations

For more than a decade and a half, the college has emphasized
international education: attracting students from other countries, encouraging students to
study and work abroad, providing opportunities for faculty to have international
experiences, and infusing the college curriculum with international values and global
knowledge. In addition, the college enrolls students of all ages, students who are single
parents, and students who are trying to get a fresh start on life. Moreover, many students
return to upgrade their job-entry skills or to position themselves for job promotions.
Still others view the college as an inexpensive opportunity to explore different fields in
order to choose the right career.

Taken together, the environment, the people, the programs, and the
services combine to make Spokane Falls Community College a college of choice for students
who desire a quality education at a reasonable cost.

Spokane, the Lilac City, is the hub of the Inland Northwest. It is
the second largest city in Washington State and the largest city between Seattle and
Minneapolis and between Calgary and Salt Lake City. It is 18 miles west of the Idaho
Panhandle and 110 miles south of British Columbia, Canada. Approximately half a million people
live in the city and metropolitan area.

Before 1800, the area which is now Spokane was a favorite Spokane Indian fishing grounds.
The powerful falls on the Spokane River was the focus of their settlement. In 1872, the first
white settlement was established in Spokane. The City of Spokane Falls was incorporated on
November 29, 1881, and in 1891 renamed Spokane. Since its founding, Spokane has been the
economic and civic capital of the Inland Northwest.

Demographics

The topography of the area around Spokane varies from rolling wheat
fields to snowcapped mountains, from lush forests to deserts, and from pristine lakes to
raging rivers. Spokane has more than 170 days of sunshine each year. Its annual
precipitation is 16.71 inches and annual snowfall is 51.6 inches. The humidity ranges from
77 percent in January to 28 percent in August. The average temperature ranges from 25.6 F
in January to 69.7 F in July. The mean wind speed is 8.8 mph. Spokane is a
four-season region; with each season contributing an opportunity to enjoy outdoor life.

Recreation

Spokane is home to the Spokane Chiefs Hockey Team, the Spokane Indians Baseball
Team, the Spokane Shock Arena Football team, the Spokane Polo Club, and the Spokane
Shadow Soccer Team. It has 7 major hospitals, 18 golf courses, 55 tennis courts, 8
public swimming pools, 28 athletic clubs, 40 handball/racquetball facilities, 12 bowling
alleys, and 4 skating rinks. Within a day's drive are 24 ski resorts, 5 of which are
within 100 miles. Within 50 miles are 76 lakes and 4 major rivers. This allows for the
best in fishing, water skiing, sailing, swimming, wind surfing, rafting, and other
water-related activities.

Every year in May, Spokane hosts Bloomsday, the world's largest,
timed road race. Over 60,000 runners, joggers, and walkers pass through the streets of
Spokane and along this scenic 12K course. May also brings the city's week-long Lilac
Festival which culminates with the famous Armed Forces/Torchlight Parade.

Parks

The city and county are proud of their many parks and public
buildings. Over 60 parks are maintained for all types of interests.

Riverfront Park, in the center of the city, was the former site of
EXPO '74. It spans the Spokane River with over 53 acres of greenery, cascading waterfalls,
and amphitheaters. It is a center for entertainment and community activities and serves as
home for the historic Looff Carrousel.

The Finch Arboretum has an extensive botanical and tree garden with
more than 2,000 labeled ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Manito Park, on the South Hill, is noted for its 18th century styled
Duncan gardens, Conservatory, Rose Gardens and Japanese Gardens.

Spokane River

Spokane Falls Community College sits above the Spokane River. Just north of the college, the
river flows through neighboring Riverside State Park. Running through the park along the river
is the paved Centennial Trail which is 12 feet wide and runs for 39 miles. Closed to motorized
traffic, it is reserved for runners, walkers, and bicyclists.

There is a special parallel path
for horses along parts of the trail. It begins at the confluence of the Spokane and Little
Spokane Rivers. It follows the Spokane River through the City of Spokane east to the
Washington/Idaho border where it meets the 23-mile North Idaho Centennial Trail. Along its
route the trail passes four institutions of higher education: Spokane Falls Community
College, Gonzaga University, Spokane Community College, and the Spokane Intercollegiate
Research and Technology Institute.

Spokane Area Links

Check out these links for more information about Spokane and the surrounding area.